Aerial mast



Nov. 20, 1934. E. c. VROOMAN AERIAL MAST Filed June 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 4 vg a m M \\\H\\\. 8 m a a o Vm J a; z W i u :N 2 u Patented Nov. 2 0, 1934 AERIAL MAST Edward C. Vroo'man, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to Locke Insulator Corporation, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application June 25, 1930, Serial No. 463,706

20 Claims.

The invention relates to masts particularly adapted for use in radio communication and has for its general object the provision of a mast adapted to be used as an antenna and equipped with novelguy or brace means insulated therefrom, the construction entirely obviating the use of insulators interposed in the guys.

An important object of the invention is to provide an aerial mast with guy means embodying insulators mounted in such manner that normally there will be substantially no strain thereupon, the arrangement eliminating the necessity of insulators carrying the horizontal component of the guy wire strain.

Another object of the invention is to provide guy means in which the necessary fitting to which the guys themselves are attached is itself engaged with the mast through a plurality of interposed insulators upon which whatever strains exist will normally be compressive and which will therefore be better capable of standing up under pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a guy fitting which may be simply slipped into place upon the mast which is of sectional construction, the fitting being located at the joint between the successive sections and being held in place without the employment of any secur elements.

An additional object is to provide an arrangement of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to make, easy to assemble or disassemble, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of an aerial mast constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a horizontal section,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing one of the insulators in detail,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modification, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view with a part of the collar in section.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 55 I have shown a mast mounted upon a suitable foundation l0 and constructed of a plurality of telescopically connected sections 11. If the entire mast is to be out of electrical connection with the ground, insulating means must be embodied withinthe foundation or support 10. At the joints between the successive sections 11 I provide a fitting, indicated as a whole by the numeral 12, for attachment of guys 13 which are connected with suitable anchors 14 at the ground.

Each of the fittings 12 is shown as comprising a preferably triangular body or frame 15 constructed of metal and galvanized or otherwise treated to be rust proof. The corners 16 of this frame are reinforced, and this reinforcing may consist of a web structure 17 extending between the two adjacent sides in spaced relation to the very end as clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 3. The lower portion of each web 17 is preferably inclined downwardly and outwardly as shown at 18 in Figure 3. In addition to the member 15, I provide a collar 19 telescopically engaged upon a mast section and closely embracing the same, the lower end of the opening through the collar being counterbored or recessed at 20 to fit upon the mast section next below, the shoulder 21 thus defined seating upon the upper edge of the lower mast section as clearly shown in Figure 3. Clearly the collar will remain in place upon the mast without any necessity for the provision of securing elements of any kind as it will be held in place by gravity. The lower end of the collar is preferably flared outwardly as at 22 and this flared portion is formed with a series of circumferentially spaced sockets 23 of spherical shape. The upper portion of the collar is formed at its periphery with similar sockets 24 while the webs 17 at the corners of the triangular frame are formed with sockets 25 and 26, the latter being located at the downwardly and outwardly inclined portions 18 above referred to.

The frame member 15 is supported in concentric relation to the collar by means of upper and lower series of insulators 27 and 28 equipped at their ends with heads here shown as of semispherical shape. The heads for the insulators 27 are indicated at 29 and 30 while the heads on the insulators 28 are designated by 31 and 32. Each insulator is shown simply as an elongated solid cylindrical body of porcelain or the like having its ends recessed into the heads, the latter being preferably of metal.

The heads 32 on the lower series of insulators 28 engage within the sockets 23 with the heads 31 engaging within the sockets 26. The heads 30 on the upper Series of insulators fit within the sockets 24 while the heads 29 engage within the sockets 25. The lower insulators are, it will be noted, arranged in inclined position so as to withstand the vertical component of the strain, the upper insulators being horizontally arranged and taking the horizontal thrust.

Each of the frame members 15 is provided with apertured ears 33 to which the guys 13 are attached, or any equivalent connection may be provided. 1

To efiect assembly, the collar 19 is slipped-onto the mast at the desired place and will be retained in position by gravityowing to the fact that its interior shoulder 21. engages upon the upper end or edge of the lower mast section. The frame member 15 is applied but must be temporarily maintained at 'a position somewhat higher than its intended final position, as shown by the dot and dash lines in Figure 3, the idea being that the insulators 27 and 28-may be placed in position with their heads 30 and 32 engaging within the sockets 24 and 23 respectively, with the upper insulators 27 tilted as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 3 so that when the frame member 15 is moved downwardly the heads 29 will enter the sockets 25. As the downward movementof the frame 15 is con tinued the heads 31 on the lower insulators will be received within the sockets 26. Gravity will then hold all theparts in'position' with the insulators 27 and 28 forming an adequate connection for maintaining the frame member 15 rigid with respect to the mast while insulated therefrom. The guys 13 are connected with the anchors 14 and the apertured cars 33 and tightened by whatever means is provided for the purpose. Normally, there is no horizontal strain, either tensional or compressive, exerted on the insulators. Of course in the eventof any tendency of the mast to overturn any horizontal thrusts will be taken by the upper series of insulators 2'7, the vertical strain exerted by the guys coming upon the lower insulators 28 which, being inclined, are capable of withstanding a high degree of pressure. Regardless of how many mast sections there may be, the construction is intended to be the same in each. As the sections are of successively smaller diameter in ordinary practice, the only difference between the construction at each joint will be in the dimensions of the opening through the collar.

In Figures 5 and 6 -I have illustrated a modified construction wherein use is made of insulators of the clevis type instead of the ball and socket type. In this instance there is a collar 34 corresponding to the'collar 19 and'a frame 35 corresponding to the frame 12. However, instead of forming the collar and the inner face or surface of the frame with sockets as above described, they are provided with apertured ears 36 and 37 with which are connected, as by pins or bolts 38, clevises 39 on the ends of insulators 40 The only advantage of this modified construction over what was first described above is that in the event of breakage of a guywith the consequent tendency of the frame member connected therewith to cant or tilt, the positive connection of the insulators with the frame andthe collar will prevent separation of any of the parts. Of course under such 'circumstancesthe insulators will be subjected to a certain amount of tensional strain but they can'be readily made to have sufiicient strength to resist the same.

Of course the installation would not be per: mitted to stand for any greatlength of time with a broken guy as the necessary repair will be made as soon as practicable so that the insulators would not be subjected to a tensional strain for any great length of time. While it is not likely that there would be any tendency of the mast to rotate with respect to any of the frame members, yet at, the same time such rotative tendency could not cause disconnection of the parts if insulators be used of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6.

With the lower end of the mast insulated from the ground and'with the use of these guy connections, it is apparent that the mast will be free from electrical connection with the ground and may therefore be used as an antenna for use in radio communication. The guy fittings are easy to apply and as the insulators are subjected to only compressive strains, which they are well qualified to resist, it is apparent that the entire structure will have adequate mechanical strength for all purposes.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplification of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the 2. Supporting means for a mast, comprising i a collar fitting on the mast, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto and formed for connection with guys, and a plurality of insulators mounted between the collar and the frame member and arranged to take 1 horizontal and vertical thrusts.

- 3. Supporting means for a mast, comprising a collar mounted on the mast, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto, and a series of insulators located between the collar and the frame member and having abutting engagement therewith at their ends.

4:. Supporting means for an aerial mast, comprising a collar fitting upon the mast, a frame 7 member spaced about the collar and having guys connected therewith, and two series of insulators arranged between the collar and the frame member in endwise abutting engagement therewith.

5. Supporting means for an aerial mast, comprising a collar fitting upon the mast, a frame member spaced about the collar and having guys connected therewith, and two series of insulators arranged between the collar and the frame member in endwise abutting engagement therewith, one series of insulators being arranged to take horizontal thrusts and the other being arranged to take vertical thrusts.

6. Supporting means for an aerial mast, comprising a collar fitting upon the mast, a frame member spaced about the collar and having guys connected therewith, and two series of insulators arranged between the collar and the frame member in endwise abutting engagement I therewith, the collar and the frame member 1359 being formed with sockets receiving the ends of the insulators.

7. Supporting means for an aerial mast, comprising a collar fitting upon the mast, a frame member spaced about the collar and having guys connected therewith, and two series of insulators arranged between the collar and the frame member in endwise abutting engagement therewith, the collar and the frame member being formed with sockets receiving the ends of the insulators, the insulators being provided at their ends with metallic heads accommodated within the sockets.

8. Means for supporting a mast formed of telescopically engaged sections, comprising a collar fitting upon the mast at a joint between the sections thereof and formed to engage upon the upper edge of the lower section so as to be supported thereby, a frame member encircling the collar in spaced relation thereto, means on the frame member for attachment of guys thereto, the collar and the frame member being formed with opposed sockets, and insulators located in endwise relation between the collar and the frame member and equipped at their ends with metal heads accommodated within the sockets.

9. Means for bracing a mast formed of telescopically engaged sections, comprising a collar located on the mast at each joint, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto and provided with means for attachment of guys, and a plurality of insulators held under compression and spacing the frame from the collar.

10. Means for supporting an aerial mast in insulated relation to the ground, comprising an insulating foundation for the mast, continuous metallic means surrounding the mast intermediate the ends thereof for attachment of the ends of guys thereto, and spaced thrust-taking members interposed between said mast and said means, said members being formed as insulators.

11. Means for connecting guys with a mast in non-conducting relation thereto, comprising a collar fitting on the mast, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto and provided with means for attachment of guys, and insulating means located between the collar and frame.

12. Means for connecting guys with a mast in non-conducting relation thereto, comprising a collar fitting on the mast, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto and provided with means for attachment of guys, and insulating means located between the collar and frame, the insulating means comprising a series of radially arranged insulators provided with heads abutting against the collar and the frame.

13. Means for connecting guys with a mast in non-conducting relation thereto, comprising a collar fitting on the mast, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto and provided with means for attachment of guys, and insulating means located between the collar and frame, the insulating means comprising a series of radially arranged insulators provided with heads abutting against the collar and the frame, the collar and the frame being formed at their outer and inner surfaces respectively with sockets receiving said heads.

14. Means for connecting guys with a mast in non-conducting relation thereto, comprising a collar fitting on the mast, a frame member surrounding the collar in spaced relation thereto and provided with means for attachment of guys, and insulating means located between the collar and frame, the insulating means comprising a series of radially arranged insulators provided with heads abutting against the collar and the frame, the collar and the frame being formed at their outer and inner surfaces respectively with sockets receiving said heads, the sockets and the heads being correspondingly curved.

15. In combination, a mast, and supporting means therefor comprising means surrounding the mast and having guys connected therewith, and insulating means arranged in abutting relation between the mast and said means.

16. In combination, a mast, and supporting means therefor comprising means surrounding the mast and having guys connected therewith, and insulating means arranged in abutting relation between the mast and said means, said insulating means being normally free from the horizontal component of any strains and arranged to take the vertical component.

17. Means for supporting a mast comprising a foundation for the mast, continuous metallic means surrounding the mast intermediate the ends thereof and constituting the sole means for attachment of supporting guys thereto, and insulating means interposed between said mast and said means for taking thrust in a plurality of directions.

18. Means for supporting a mast comprising metallic means surrounding the mast intermediate the ends thereof and constituting the sole means for attachment of guys thereto, and thrust-taking insulating means interposed between the mast and said means surrounding the same.

19. Means for supporting a mast comprising an insulating foundation therefor, means surrounding the intermediate portion of the mast in spaced relation thereto, guys connected with said surrounding means, and sets of thrusttaking insulating members interposed between the mast and said means surrounding the same, the members of each set being angularly related.

20. Means for supporting a mast comprising a foundation therefor, means surrounding the intermediate portion of the mast in spaced relation thereto, guys connected at their ends with said surrounding means, and a plurality of sets of thrust-taking members interposed between the mast and said means surrounding the same, each set including a member having a substantially horizontally arranged axis and further including a member having its axis substantially normal 3 to the adjacent guy.

EDWARD C. VROOMAN. 

